I’m Brookelyn Justine

Your Guide for the Journey

I’m Brookelyn Justine, a childbirth educator for nuanced thinkers who want to feel truly prepared for the pregnancy to postpartum journey. I can help you confidently navigate the challenges you may face along with way so that you can look back on your experience with fulfillment and move forward feeling empowered.

A former airline pilot and flight simulator instructor, I developed a passion for birth after my first child was born. I now have three children, and I’ve learned so much from each of my very different birth experiences: slow and calm, fast and furious, and one that didn’t go as planned!

I believe that birth is a journey. We can prepare for it in a way that gives us the best chance of staying on our desired course. But, as birth is unpredictable, we can also be ready to navigate and accept the reality of how it unfolds in its own unique way.

I’m committed to producing evidence-based content that combines a deep respect for the benefits and power of physiologic birth AND an appreciation for advancements in medical science that offer us valuable tools, when needed.

From Fearful to Empowered

I had always been terrified of childbirth. So terrified that I was pretty sure I never wanted to have children. I remember talking to some of the women in my family about birth at our annual Labor Day picnic. I wasn’t even considering giving birth at that time, so I don’t quite remember how the topic came up. But birth stories were shared. I don’t remember any of the specifics or even if they were at all positive and encouraging or just negative and scary. I do, however, vividly remember my intense and visceral fear. These negative feelings about birth surfaced just about any time the topic was brought up. Birth was something I never wanted to experience. The fear was something I did not think I could get past. 

For years, nothing changed. I did not want to have children. I did not want to go through pregnancy. I did not want to give birth. 

Looking back, there were a few reasons for my attitude about pregnancy, birth, and having a child. I was not in a place in my life where any of this would be easy or feasible. My husband and I were both flying for the same airline, each of us spending about half of our days and nights in different cities. I loved exploring on my overnights and establishing my go-tos at each location. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que was a must for dinner in Rochester (even though I’m a vegetarian… those side dishes though…). Falls Park in Sioux Falls was my favorite place to go for a run. Grabbing Nepali cuisine for lunch at Himal Chuli in Madison was another food must-do. I absolutely loved renting a bike from the stand near the Rideau Canal in Ottawa and going for a long ride. I wasn’t ready to give up this lifestyle.

Starting a family meant that I might have to.

At some point, the switch flipped. My adventures didn’t seem as important. I started thinking about childcare solutions if I decided to continue my career, as well as other career options. I started researching topics of pregnancy and birth. I felt my fear start to ease as I learned more about the whole process. (Hint: Education has a key role in reducing fear.) 

I also started thinking about my care provider. He was nice enough, but was he the one I wanted at my birth? I hadn’t put a lot of thought into choosing an OB/GYN. I’m sure their very professional and well-designed website (but not much else) was a big deciding factor in calling to schedule my first appointment. I decided to search the internet for reviews and information on this large practice I had been using for my routine care. I stumbled across a blog that specifically mentioned this practice and its stance against doula support and individualized birth plans. I didn’t know much about either of those at the time, but it was enough to cause the spark that would ignite a fire that has continued to burn within me. And down the rabbit hole I went…

I now have three children and three very different birth stories: from slow and calm to fast and furious to navigating lots of medical interventions. I’ve learned so much from each one. I went from being terrified of the entire process to empowering births using only non-medical pain management techniques in two out of the three. AND I decided to become a certified childbirth educator to help others through this very transformative process.

My Certifications and Memberships

  • Certified with Childbirth International in July 2017

  • Certified with the School of Positive Transformation in January 2022

  • Certified with Body Ready Method® in February 2022

  • I became a BeHerVillage™ Gift Registry Advocate, because I believe in the importance of support over stuff.

    I also believe that building a gift registry can actually be a fantastic opportunity for educating on postpartum recovery and newborn care.

    It’s all about having everything you need and nothing you don’t.

    It’s about prioritizing what will actually be of value to you as you navigate life beyond birth.

  • I am committed to providing evidence-based and up-to-date content.

    I am a Professional Member of Evidence Based Birth®, so I have on-going access to current, evidence-based information and high-quality continuing education.

    Research evidence isn’t the only factor to consider when it comes to decision-making, but it’s a crucial part.

    Misinformation is EVERYWHERE and doesn’t help ANYONE.

  • I committed to providing inclusive content.

    I use inclusive resources from The Educated Birth, which is “creating intersectional reproductive health ed and storytelling content”. I believe in their mission that representation is “necessary for a safe and equitable health system” and have also become a Patron and member in support.

    Inclusive visuals and language honor the diversity amongst those who give birth. It does not exclude.

More About Me

I started flying at age 14 after receiving an introductory flight for my birthday. I flew for two different airlines before entering the world of flight training. I worked as a ground school instructor and taught in full-motion flight simulators.

I volunteer for a local forest school group. We encourage families to get outside consistently through the year and in a variety of weather conditions. I’m a huge advocate for the benefits of outdoor unstructured play for small children.

My favorite family tradition we started doing is to celebrate each full moon with a little party. Also, throughout each lunar cycle, we pay attention to the moon phases, talk about why each moon has its specific name, observe what's going on in nature, and read books that are relevant to all of this.

I love camping! We recently bought a camper and try to take as many trips as we can up to our favorite campground on Lake Erie. It’s also a place I went to every year as a child, so it’s an extra special place for me!

My newest hobby is slowly adding as many native plants to our yard as I can. I discovered that many plants typically used in landscaping aren’t beneficial to our native pollinators. Adding these plants has brought so many bees and butterflies to our yard!